Even if a performance is offered free to the public and there are no earned revenues derived overseas, there may still be an issue of taxes, fees, licenses and/or permits that need to be addressed.

Bureaucracy

India’s very complicated performance licensing procedures could have capsized BDC. The adroit handling of the situation by the companies local partner, Asia Society, saved the day (and night!)

Matinee performance for Mumbai street children at Nehru Centre, October 7

Battery Dance returned to India after a gap of five years, presenting a matinee for homeless children at the 800-seat Nehru Centre. The matinee was coordinated by Bunty Chand and her staff of the Asia Society India Centre, who obtained all the necessary permits and reached out to three charitable organizations whose clientele is the homeless community of Mumbai: Akanksha, Pratham and C.C.D.T. Performing for this ebullient audience was one of the highlights of the tour.

Evening performance for the general public at Nehru Centre, October 7

The same evening, BDC gave a performance for the public, sponsored by Citibank, Taj Group and Asia Society. The house was full with a very enthusiastic crowd, drawn by BDC’s reputation in India, enhanced by a full page feature in Time Out Magazine. Members of the professional dance, film, music and theater communities from as far away as Pune attended the performance and accorded the dancers a standing ovation. Considering the very difficult technical conditions encountered at Nehru Centre, BDC’s tour technical director David Bengali did an extraordinary job.